4 October 2024 – Not My Ways But His

Not My Ways But His

BRD REFLECTIONS:

Ezekiel 6, 7 and Psalm 139 (NIV)

(Sandra Choi, CIC Facilitator)

READ:

1. Ezekiel 6, 7
   “Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (6:14 & 7:27)
   
2. Psalm 139
   “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (v23-24)

OBSERVE:

As I read Ezekiel 6 & 7, I felt God’s disappointment towards the people of Israel as His patience had run thin. His punishment sounded harsh but was necessary for His people to turn away from their human-made idols and return to the truth that the Lord is the only true and living God. With reference to LASB¹,  the phrase “they will know that I am the LORD” (or a variation of it) was mentioned 65 times in this book and in chapters 6 & 7, this phrase  was mentioned seven times.  

APPLY:

What are my human-made idols?  They could be anything in my life that I regard with high importance, and which draw my attention away from God.  Some modern-day examples are money, education, pleasures, power/status and achievements.  For me, I felt I was enslaved to the image of a “perfect” believer, mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, colleague and an employee and spent so much effort, time and resources in trying to achieve perfection.  I am reminded in 2 Cor 12:9 that I can never be perfect except by His grace, admitting my limitations and depending on Him, to live in Christ in all I do. 

I am challenged to change the image of “perfect” me to a God-fearing me, a person who is influenced by God’s view of who I am.

DO:

I want to include  David’s prayer in Psalms 139:23-24 in my daily examen.  I want to allow God to search my heart, test my thoughts and reveal to me my sins so that I may repent from walking my own way, and instead walk humbly in His ways.

PRAY:

Search my heart O Lord, and test my every thought; reveal to me anything I said, did or thought today which was offensive and prideful.  

Forgive me Lord, for I have offended You today; I speak 1 John 1:9 and believe You have forgiven me and cleansed me from all unrighteousness.

I pray, Lord, that You will teach me Your ways and give me the courage to walk in them daily.

In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

¹LASB – Life Application Study Bible